'Almost impossible' task faces the Lions after first leg defeat

WITCHES HOLD A FOUR-POINT LEAD IN GRAND FINAL AHEAD OF SECOND LEG TOMORROW

- Alan Jones.

LEICESTER Lions’ ambitions of being crowned Premiership champions suffered a major setback in the first leg of the Grand Final, writes Alan Jones.

Hopes of building up a large points advantage to take to Ipswich for tomorrow's second leg disappeared as the Witches raced to a 47-43 win at the Hydroscand Arena.

The Lions struggled to get on top and only once did they take the lead when Ryan Douglas and Kyle Howarth were awarded maximum points in the third heat after Adam Ellis crashed.

Ellis took no further part in the meeting but his teammates rallied round to cover for his loss.

Leicester’s four-point lead quickly vanished as Ipswich responded by winning the next two races by an identical score which tipped the balance their way.

However, when Lions captain Max Fricke edged in front of Jason Doyle and Luke Becker picked up an important third place at the end of the sixth heat, the outcome halved the visitors’ lead.

The Douglas and Howarth pairing were again successful in a rerun of the ninth race after Dan Thompson fell and was excluded.